Atonement of Blood(129)

‘Is all well?’ he greeted them.

‘Surely that is what we should be asking you?’ Eadulf answered in amusement, clapping him on the back.

‘Oh.’ The commander of the King’s bodyguard looked flustered for a moment. ‘Everything is well here – very well. The King is almost recovered. It is good to see you both returned unharmed from the country of the Uí Fidgente.’

‘Is my brother within?’ asked Fidelma.

‘Brother Conchobhar is with him. He comes to check on the King twice a day.’

‘Excellent.’ She knocked, and then without waiting for an answer, she opened the door. Followed by Eadulf, she stepped into the familiar chamber beyond.

Fidelma’s brother was seated before a blazing log fire. He was clad in loose-fitting clothes and she could see that he still wore bandages under his shirt. He glanced up and his features broadened into a grin. Fidelma went over and leaned down to embrace him.

‘Brother Conchobhar told me that he had heard that you had just returned,’ smiled Colgú, extending his hand to Eadulf. ‘Are you both well?’

‘Better for seeing that you are improved, brother,’ replied Fidelma, before turning to beam at the old apothecary who had risen from the other chair at her entrance.

‘I was just about to take my leave, lady,’ the old man said. ‘Your brother is fitter than I am. But try to make him relax more. He has been the worst of patients.’

Colgú grinned at the apothecary. ‘And you have been the most dictatorial of physicians,’ was his riposte. When the old man left, he waved Fidelma and Eadulf to seats. ‘Now you must tell me everything.’

‘Everything?’ protested Fidelma. ‘Not now. I do not want to have to repeat my story to the council meeting.’

Colgú looked disappointed for a moment. ‘Well, Finguine is here, and so is Aillín.’ He hesitated and then said: ‘Following Áedo’s death, the Council of Brehons decided to confirm Aillín in his place as Chief Brehon of the Kingdom.’

He knew Fidelma had earlier aspired to the office. However, she responded with a shrug of dismissal. ‘Brehon Aillín has many years of experience. Anyway, perhaps it will not exhaust you if you could call the council this evening – I could make my report then.’

‘That is a good idea. Why not immediately?’

‘Because there are a few things I must do first. For example, I need to see the girl that I had confined on suspicion. She should be released with something to compensate her. I did her an injustice.’

‘You mean the girl, Aibell?’ replied Colgú with a smile. ‘Don’t worry. I have spoken with her and allowed her to stay with Della in the township. Della has promised to look after her.’

Fidelma’s eyes widened, annoyance spreading on her face. ‘You saw her? But I gave Dar Luga strict instructions that—’

Colgú held up his hand. ‘I am not that incapable, sister. I had her brought here and questioned her and she told me her sad story. You are not the only judge of character in this family. I thought it more appropriate that she stay with someone who would show her some sympathy and friendship. She is an attractive girl, the sort that people easily fall in love with.’

Fidelma winced at the familiarity of the phrase. ‘So was her mother,’ she muttered. ‘So Aibell is being looked after by Della?’

‘I have someone check surreptitiously each day. But, so far, she has proved that I made the right decision. I am told that they get on like a mother and daughter.’

Fidelma and her brother stared at each other, jaws thrust out pugnaciously, each determined to be right. At that moment Eadulf saw the similarity of temperament between the two red-haired siblings. There was tension for a moment and then they both relaxed with smiles.

‘I would have done the same,’ Fidelma admitted. ‘In fact, I can think of no better place for Aibell to be at the moment than with Della, especially now that Della’s son Gormán has returned home.’

Her brother looked uncertain. ‘What has Gormán to do with it?’

‘Oh, I think we might safely leave the future in Gormán’s hands,’ Fidelma said enigmatically. Then she added: ‘I am glad to see you so well again, brother.’

‘No more than I am happy to be well and look forward to your explanation behind this assassin’s attempt on me. I am still sure that the name Liamuin does not mean anything to me,’ he added. ‘Aibell told me about her mother and I have certainly never heard of her, nor any other woman called Liamuin.’